Japanese Ambassador to China Kenji Kanasugi has pledged to do his utmost to organize a summit meeting between Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the upcoming APEC summit in November, in a bid to boost bilateral ties that are at their lowest point in years.
In an interview with Kyodo News, Kanasugi stressed the importance of facilitating high-level dialogues. He expressed hope that both sides would soon reach an agreement on a meeting schedule on the sidelines of the APEC summit, which is seen as a crucial opportunity to restore trust and build a foundation for long-term cooperation.
Japan-China relations have experienced a prolonged period of tension due to disagreements over historical issues, territorial disputes, and trade barriers. The planned meeting between the two leaders is seen as a meaningful step to ease strains and open a new direction for bilateral relations.
Ambassador Kanasugi added that Japan would work closely with its Chinese counterparts to ensure a substantive agenda at the APEC summit, including economic cooperation and climate change response.
